A garda investigation has been launched after cocaine with an estimate street value of €70,000 was found at a fire station.

The kilo of drugs was found in an area at the headquarters of the Tipperary Fire Service at Limerick Road, Nenagh.

It is understood the cocaine was found on January 17 during a routine search and then local gardaí were notified.

Gardaí confirmed that a male in his 30s has been arrested as part of the investigation, and that inquiries are ongoing.

Probe

Sources last night said gardaí were following "a number of lines of inquiry" to establish the ownership of the drugs.

A spokesperson for Tipperary County Council said that the drugs were found during a "routine health and safety inspection" and that they were "co-operating fully" with the Garda probe.

In a statement, gardaí said they were "investigating the discovery of cocaine (analysis pending) with an estimated street value in excess of €70,000 at a premises on Limerick Road, Nenagh, Co Tipperary".

"The discovery was reported to gardaí on January 17. A man aged in his 30s was arrested by investigating gardaí on January 18 and detained for questioning at Nenagh garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

"He has since been released without charge. A file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions."

In a statement, the local authority said: "Tipperary County Council wishes to confirm that on January 17, 2018, an unknown substance was discovered as a result of a routine health and safety inspection in the Nenagh Fire Station and gardaí were immediately notified.

"This case is now an ongoing criminal investigation, and a file is being prepared for the DPP. The council is co-operating fully with gardaí on the matter and it does not want to prejudice or jeopardise that enquiry in any way, and therefore is not in a position to comment further pending the conclusion of this investigation," the council added.

Tipperary County Council's website says the "fire service headquarters is based at Limerick Road, Nenagh" and that "these offices administer all items relating to the operational fire service, fire safety, building control, emergency planning and petroleum licensing".